UAH hockey, which has been without a conference since College Hockey America folded in 2009, could be helped along in joining a conference by the pending creation of the Big Ten hockey conference. (The Huntsville Times/Bob Gathany)

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - The Big Ten Conference announced Monday its intention to recommend the formation of its own hockey league, a move that could potentially help independent Alabama-Huntsville find a conference.

Six Big Ten schools are expected to form the new conference, recommended to start play during the 2013-14 season. The proposal, which is expected to go through, will be presented to the Big Ten Council of Presidents/Chancellors in June.

The conference's formation could set in motion talks of realignment involving teams in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and Western Collegiate Hockey Association, which both have Big Ten institutions.

UAH coach Chris Luongo said Monday that the Chargers will be involved in talks about new potential conferences.

"We're excited things are starting to roll, since this has been on the horizon," he said. "There's going to be a lot of discussion among Division I hockey schools, and we plan on being in those."

UAH has been without a conference since College Hockey America folded in 2009.

For more on this story, see Tuesday's edition of The Huntsville Times.